A World Of Good With Desmond Tutu

By Keith Boykin, in spirituality
Monday, November 19 2007, 10:29AM

There is something about Archbishop Desmond Tutu that you just have to like. With his disarming smile, diminutive stature and avuncular appearance, Tutu looks more like the grandfather at a family reunion than an international leader. But when he speaks, volumes of truth and knowledge flow from his mouth.

Over the weekend, the 76-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner spoke forcefully about American foreign policy and the sensitive issue of homophobia in the church. In a speech at Harvard University titled “Goodness Triumphs Ultimately,” Tutu offered hope to those who yearn for justice both here and abroad. And in an interview with BBC Radio, Tutu flatly denounced homophobia. "If God, as they say, is homophobic, I wouldn't worship that God."

In the midst of an ongoing controversy with the Anglican Church that has been divided over the issue of homosexuality, Tutu criticized the church for losing its focus. He said the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, had failed to use his power to demonstrate that God is "welcoming" and questioned why the church was "obsessed" with the issue of gay priests instead of focusing on global problems such as the AIDS pandemic.

"Our world is facing problems - poverty, HIV and AIDS - a devastating pandemic, and conflict," Tutu told the BBC. "God must be weeping looking at some of the atrocities that we commit against one another. In the face of all of that, our Church, especially the Anglican Church, at this time is almost obsessed with questions of human sexuality."

In a direct reference to the Archbishop of Canterbury, Tutu asked: "Why doesn't he demonstrate a particular attribute of God's which is that God is a welcoming God?" The Anglican Church has been divided over the appointment of Gene Robinson, who is openly gay, as the bishop of New Hampshire in the United States. But Tutu said his church had been "extraordinarily homophobic" in handling the issue and said he felt "saddened" and "ashamed" by it.

But Tutu didn't stop there. He also rebuked religious conservatives who claim that homosexuality is a choice. Although some evangelicals argue that homosexuality is a perversion, Tutu turned the language on them and argued that homophobia is a perversion. "It is a perversion if you say to me that a person chooses to be homosexual. You must be crazy to choose a way of life that exposes you to a kind of hatred. It's like saying you choose to be black in a race-infected society."

Tutu is right on the money. The real problems facing the world are fear and hatred, not love. Homophobia is a true threat to our society, not homosexuality. And gays and lesbians do not choose to be homosexual any more than blacks choose to be black.

I'm tired of all the religious conservatives twisting the Bible to justify their hatred and fears. I'm tired of all the evangelicals who claim to be Christian but seem unwilling to follow the teachings of Christ. And I'm tired of all the cowards who fail to speak up in the face of obvious injustice and inequality in the world.

Edmund Burke told us: All that is necessary for evil to prevail is that good men do nothing. But Desmond Tutu teaches us hope. Change happens when people who want change decide to make it happen. Goodness, he says, triumphs ultimately.

Comments (28) reveal

Comments conceal

Derrick from Philly
November 19 2007, 12:44PM

A true Christian. Never the sound of hate in voice or words--even when he helped lead the fight against Aparthied. There is no hate in Bishop Tutu. Now in contrast to this true Christian in South Africa, listen to the hateful, ignorant ass preachers we have over here--living in multi-million dollar homes and driving around in expensive cars, their on private jets. Hyporcritical motha' fuckas, that's what we have in too many American churches....synagogues and mosques too, I guess. Do I sound hateful? Well, don't call myself a good Christian, I aint trying to be no "queen" of God, ok?

Oh, I promised I'd stop using profanity and name calling. Forget I called the preachers "motha' fucka's"...please...thank you.

Billly
November 19 2007, 1:44PM

It's okay Derrick-we understand(lol).

Keith it was good to read this journal entry. I don't know much about the bishop but knowing that a religious, black heterosexual male leader is standing up for us is a breath of fresh air. I am interested in learning more of him and his work. Thanks again.

Shabaka
November 19 2007, 3:01PM

Mr Tutu has been vehemently opposed to bigotry of any kind since day one. If there was such a thing as a world government, I can't imagine anyone fitter than him to lead it!

chris-leo
November 19 2007, 3:35PM

i had the pleasure of being at an event at which bishop tutu spoke.

he spoke of how real strength is a quiet and confident quality that comes from being centered and addressed how people confuse strength with force and with violence - directly addressing president bush by name and by deed.

it was great.

while i don't believe that good has to triumph ultimately, i hope he's right. i think we all need to work so that this ultimate triumphant isn't a zillion years from now, with our dying sun as sole witness.

Son of a Bishop
November 19 2007, 3:49PM

Wow! I just took a sigh of relief. I don't have anything ore to add to all of the very profound comments so far. Thanks for sharing Keith.

Kenneth Winfrey
November 19 2007, 5:32PM

I had no idea that Tutu was such a bold advocate for gays truth. He has taken a lot of criticism for it too...but yet they so easily join in the hatred when religious leaders condemn homosexuality.

Gladstone
November 19 2007, 7:26PM

l am a homosexual man . l love myself and it is my desire to honor and love a male partner ......note honor and love ....... l am constantly searching for a solution to the problem: Is it a sin to be homosexual ? What are the boundaries that God accepts - if any - in my fulfilling my desire? l will always be homosexual, that is a fact but to what extent can l allow myself the freedom to love as l have always desired and say l also love God. Read the scripture and read it well , we cannot keep telling ourselves there's no problem ......... let's work with the truth . These questions bring me great unrest and saddness not least because of the love l have for the brothers who made it possible for me today to say openly l am homosexual ..... there is a great legacy in the balance here brothers like Bayard Rustin , Marlon Riggs , Essex Hemphill ........ the list is long. l am sorry l do not have have answer at this time but l know for sure some big changes need to be made by me.

G-man
November 19 2007, 7:37PM

Keith this is a great piece to start the week of Thanksgiving . I will not forget to give thanks for Archbishop Desmond Tutu and those who are like-minded. He is kindness and love PERSONIFIED!!!

MLee
November 19 2007, 7:39PM

Ever since I was old enough to think for myself, I have known religion was created by man to control man. I must say mission accomplished! I am always tempted to say religion is for weak minded people, until I think of my many relatives who are far from weak minded. I can peacefully coexist and enjoy the company of any person of any religion in the world as long as they do not try to force their religious beliefs on me, and I do not try to force my beliefs on them. I don’t even mind if they talk about their region. The most violent wars in world history have been connected to religion. Although I am not religious, I am the most loving person you will ever meet.

Aaron
November 19 2007, 8:17PM

Thanks Keith. Bishop Tutu is truly a testament of faith in expressing truth in face of hate that seeks to hurt any and everyone that disagrees with it.
There are so many people confused by "The Word", I only offer that since Jesus is the focal point in "The Word" we so often talk about, that we read Matthew, Mark and Luke first and then measure the rest of "The Word" from how He spoke.
Paul from the Bible was a man born long after Jesus walked among men so why do we put so much credence in what he says After Jesus said it all? Why do we put so much credence in the books before Jesus?
God Bless Bishop Tutu. God Bless fools.

Ostend Street
November 19 2007, 8:29PM

Since the man generates so much love, it is so easy to love him.

Mark Norris
November 19 2007, 8:51PM

I too would like to know more about Bishop Desmond Tutu. I didn't know he was so radical with his beliefs. Now that I do, and know what and how he believes, I want to research this man of God more and more.

Thanks Keith.

Mark

Chicago Angel
November 19 2007, 9:36PM

I would be of any church organization who didn't preach strictly from the Bible and believed every word of it. You can't pick and choose what parts of the Bible are right or wrong or which rules to follow or not.

marv
November 19 2007, 9:48PM

there more i read about this man the more i like him he is a true man of God

J
November 19 2007, 10:01PM

It isn't religion that causes the hate it's people like Felicia Pearson and Da Brat. Kidding.

Mel Smith
November 19 2007, 10:04PM

I love Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Michael Vincent Crea
November 19 2007, 11:28PM

St. Francis de Sales said,"There is nothing so strong as gentleness, nothing so gentle as real strength." Most certainly, Archbishop Tutu is a living prototype of that
phrase for ALL peoples. Speaking of the hospitality of Divine Holiness for ALL persons of Creation, he speaks and is "living the Truth with charity." Those that cling to scripture as a hitching post rather than as many
sign posts never start the journey of doing justice for the gift each of us is, most of ALL, themselves, wherein self-hate, fear and doubt replace the Holy Spirit, faith and the Divine Love, they and ALL of us are given to be
Lights in our One World. In Brother-Elder-Mentor Tutu's presence twice, he's like the Dalai Lama, a delightful, blissful man of grace and blessings to Gay, Lesbian, Bi, Trans & Straight, indeed, ALL Saints marching or sashaying in! As Jesus, so Desmond Tutu: "Love one another, as I have loved you!" How wonderful, how very blessed!
Pastor Michael Vincent Crea
One World Life Systems
owlsmvc@hotmai

Etienne
November 20 2007, 12:24AM

This made my day today at work...I hope Tutu's message reached masses especially on the continent..I know that things are changing (very slowly..but surely)..There is now a nascent activism in many countries on the continent from what I heard..We will make it..

Etienne.

C Guy
November 20 2007, 12:48AM

The good bishop still misses the mark. What does a "welcoming" God has to do with living a holy life as he commands of us that love him?

nhlanhla-S.A.
November 20 2007, 1:51AM

I am not a christian, and I love many christians (and many I dont), but TUTU IS one of the best hu-mans in my lifetime. I am humbled by what he continues to do with his position: archbishop, ex-apartheid activist, nobel prize recepient, etc.

More than 12 years ago, as an 18 year old university student and part of a pack, we saw him get out of our elevator, beaming a smile - we only heard the sound from whatever he said, but sure saw his love that affected us, being real kids against our will.

I think God already blessed Tutu. Pity God must be so stingy, since Tutu is the lone-ranger. Not only for the gay cause.


DEADLEE
November 20 2007, 2:33AM

KEITH, PLEASE READ MY LATEST BLOG, AND TELL ME WHY YOU SUPPORT ALICIA KEYS ON YOUR PAGE?
http://anotherdeadleeblog.typepad.com/another_deadlee_blog/2007/11/alicia-keys-per.html

Helen
November 20 2007, 3:06AM

You are quite right about Desmond Tutu. He really is as lovely as you have portrayed him. He has an aura about him which infects everyone he sees or comes into contact with which shines bright and golden, offering hope and happiness.

What a pity there aren't more people in the world like him! The world would be a better place for sure.

Son of a Bishop
November 20 2007, 8:21AM

Gladstone,

My blog site addresses your questions and concerns, just click on my name or just go to www.sonofabishop.blogspot.com

Blue
November 20 2007, 9:39AM

He seems like such a sweet, kind man ... there's a serene aura to him.

Gladstone
November 20 2007, 10:09AM

Son of a Bishop

Hey that is sweet of you; thanks for taking the time to direct me to your blog site .

God bless.

FRE
November 20 2007, 9:20PM

+Tutu makes me proud to be an Alglican (Episcopalian).

Adam
November 30 2007, 1:19PM

God I love that man. What a beacon of light he is, and unafraid to speak truth to power. A living saint Mr. Tutu is. People like him and Jane Goodall give off so much light.

Sizwe (RSA)
December 3 2007, 6:59AM

Hi NHLANHLA, i'm also in South Africa. Please drop me an email


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